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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Manual-wind wristwatch

Ball Official Standard RR Approved wristwatch

Partially verified

This 1960s Swiss gent's wristwatch attributed to the Ball Watch Co. is reported to house a manual-wind AS 1604B caliber featuring 21 jewels, sweep seconds, and a mechanical hacking complication. The watch is cased in stainless steel measuring 34.5 mm wide without the crown and 40.5 mm lug-to-lug. Its white dial features simulated enamel paint with bold black Arabic numerals, an outer minutes track, a black and red handset, and the 'BALL OFFICIAL RR STANDARD' insignia. It is shown fitted to a black leather strap.

Oblique front view of the Ball Official RR Standard wristwatch showing the dial and case
Oblique front view of the Ball Official RR Standard wristwatch showing the dial and case — empressissi. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
empress.cc
Category
Wristwatch · Manual-wind wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Ball Watch Co.
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
1960s
Country
Switzerland

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and Physical Characteristics

The wristwatch is housed in a stainless steel case measuring 34.5 mm in width, excluding the crown, and 40.5 mm in length from lug to lug.

The watch is fitted with an 18 mm wide black leather strap featuring an unsigned buckle.

Evidence for this section
  • “cased in a stainless steel classic case”
  • “measures 34,5mm side to side (excluding crown) and 40,5mm from top lug to bottom lug”
  • “18mm wide, quality genuine leather band”
  • “unsigned anti-allergic buckle in stainless steel”

Dial Composition and Indices

The white dial features simulated enamel paint with black Arabic numerals from 1 through 12 and an outer minute track punctuated by dots.

The branding 'BALL OFFICIAL RR STANDARD' is inscribed below 12 o'clock, with 'SWISS' marked below 6 o'clock. The handset consists of black hour and minute hands paired with a red sweep seconds hand.

Evidence for this section
  • “simulated enamel paint with black print”
  • “Dial signed 'BALL OFFICIAL RR STANDARD' below 12 and 'SWISS' below 6”
  • “original set of black/red hands”

Mechanism and Technical Status

The watch is reported to contain an AS 1604B manual-wind caliber featuring 21 jewels and a mechanical hacking complication.

The interior of the movement and the case back were not visible in the provided source imagery, so these internal details remain unverified by direct observation.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch houses an AS 1604B”
  • “running on 21 jewels”
  • “with the addition of an extra mechanical hack”

Open research questions

  • Are there factory case back markings or internal movement stamps verifying the Ball Watch Co. origin for this specific AS 1604B configuration?
  • Does the 'simulated enamel' dial finish reflect standard production techniques for this specific Ball RR series?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Ball Official Standard RR Approved wristwatch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
CaliberAS 1604B“The watch houses an AS 1604B”
Jewel count21 jewels“running on 21 jewels”
Case materialStainless steel“cased in a stainless steel classic case”
Case dimensions34.5 mm diameter, 40.5 mm lug-to-lug“measures 34,5mm side to side (excluding crown) and 40,5mm from top lug to bottom lug”
Lug width18 mm“18mm wide, quality genuine leather band”
Approximate Dating1960s“unique Swiss gents wrist watch from the 60s”

Visible details

  • White dial with bold black Arabic numerals from 1 through 12 and an outer minute track with dots
  • Dial signed 'BALL OFFICIAL RR STANDARD' below 12 and 'SWISS' below 6
  • Black hour and minute hands paired with a contrasting red sweep seconds hand
  • Fitted to a black leather strap mounted on a transparent display stand

Research qualifications

  • Movement and case back are not shown in the provided photograph; caliber and jewel count are source-reported
  • Specific reference number and serial number are not stated

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

60s BALL Official Standard RR Approved Swiss Gents Watch – empressissi

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record d160103da9

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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